Write out a novel's ending so as to shock! (4)
I believe the answer is:
jolt
'shock' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'write out a novel's ending' is the wordplay.
'write' becomes 'jot' (jotting is a kind of writing).
'out' is an insertion indicator.
'ending' says to take the final letters (the ending of the word).
The last letter of 'novel' is 'l'.
'jot' placed around 'l' is 'JOLT'.
'so as to' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for jolt that I've seen before include "elbow" , "A sudden jar" , "Sudden jerk" , "Shock, jerk" , "bump" .)